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I always thought to some extent, that working at a large company (under very particular circumstances) could provide you with the resources and connections nece

by austinz 13y ago

I always thought to some extent, that working at a large company (under very particular circumstances) could provide you with the resources and connections necessary to work on a side project/future startup at your leisure, without having to deal with the pressure of rapidly-draining funding or extraordinary levels of stress before you're ready. Some big tech companies even provide support for people who want to do this (of course, under certain constraints, and to a certain extent). Then again, if you're comfortable at a big company and working on something as a hobby or side project, the impetus to get it done and move quickly isn't there as well. Plus, a steady, large income produces a sort of complacency and tendency towards a more expensive lifestyle that would be hard to sustain once you leave again. So I guess it's a double-edged sword. Also, if you do this, it has to be at a company where the environment and the work you do isn't toxic, but rather something you enjoy. While I was at another company doing work I really didn't like, I thought to myself that I'd compensate by working on a side project. I was only fooling myself, because when I got home I was so bored, tired, and frustrated that I had no energy to do anything technical. Different personality types might cope differently, though.

rrhoover 13y ago
Big companies get a lot of flack from us startup geeks when in reality, they can provide the best learning and mentorship for continued growth. As with everything, it all depends on the company and your personal preference.
vonmoltke 13y ago
> Also, if you do this, it has to be at a company where the environment and the work you do isn't toxic, but rather something you enjoy. While I was at another company doing work I really didn't like, I thought to myself that I'd compensate by working on a side project. I was only fooling myself, because when I got home I was so bored, tired, and frustrated that I had no energy to do anything technical. Different personality types might cope differently, though. Absolutely. I stayed too long at a defense contractor where the environment was a slow-drip toxin that eventually sapped my will to do anything outside work not related to history or wargaming. Throw in anxiety and personal issues I refused to seek help for due to the stigma of psychological treatment in a secure environment, and I was a mess. I'm in a better place now, but still recovering from the low point.
dohertyjf 13y ago
You make some good points, Austinz. I start with the thought of "What kind of life do I want to live?" and then go from there to figure out how much I need to make to make it happen. Then, any money made above that goes into savings or investing or back into a side project. The goal, for me, is to get to the place I want to be and then I will never go out on my own without the business to support it. I think what you say about toxicity is really interesting. If it's not toxic, it depends on the person if they want to put up with it. I'm slowly learning which one I am. I think I can put up with it, but I don't want to.

by austinz 13y ago

rrhoover 13y ago

Big companies get a lot of flack from us startup geeks when in reality, they can provide the best learning and mentorship for continued growth. As with everything, it all depends on the company and your personal preference.

vonmoltke 13y ago

> Also, if you do this, it has to be at a company where the environment and the work you do isn't toxic, but rather something you enjoy. While I was at another company doing work I really didn't like, I thought to myself that I'd compensate by working on a side project. I was only fooling myself, because when I got home I was so bored, tired, and frustrated that I had no energy to do anything technical. Different personality types might cope differently, though. Absolutely. I stayed too long at a defense contractor where the environment was a slow-drip toxin that eventually sapped my will to do anything outside work not related to history or wargaming. Throw in anxiety and personal issues I refused to seek help for due to the stigma of psychological treatment in a secure environment, and I was a mess. I'm in a better place now, but still recovering from the low point.

dohertyjf 13y ago

You make some good points, Austinz. I start with the thought of "What kind of life do I want to live?" and then go from there to figure out how much I need to make to make it happen. Then, any money made above that goes into savings or investing or back into a side project. The goal, for me, is to get to the place I want to be and then I will never go out on my own without the business to support it. I think what you say about toxicity is really interesting. If it's not toxic, it depends on the person if they want to put up with it. I'm slowly learning which one I am. I think I can put up with it, but I don't want to.